Your abdominal muscles have several important jobs: Help with essential bodily functions, including urinating, defecating, coughing, sneezing, vomiting. They help also increase the intra-abdominal pressure facilitating child birth. Hold your internal organs in place and protect them (including your stomach, intestines, pancreas, liver and gallbladder). Maintain consistent internal pressure in the abdomen. Maintain posture and provide core support. Support your spine and body during sitting, standing, bending over, twisting, exercising and singing.